Arch-corrective device



Dec. 15 1925- 1.565.266

J. c. FLANAGAN ARCH CORRECTIVE DEVICE Filed Dec. 2'7. 1923 INvsN-rolz,wwm.

aal-E47 Patented Decl 15, 1925 UNITED STATES j 1,565,266 PMENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH C. FLANAGAN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARCH-connncfrrvn nnvIcE.

Application filed December 27, 1923. Serial No. 682,963.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. FLANAGAN, a citizen of the United Statesof America,

sand residing at Pittsburgh, in the county ofA Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inArch-Corrective Devices, of Bwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to arch-corrective devices for feet andparticularly to such a form of cushion as can be inserted in any shoe tofit the natural contour of the bottom of the foot.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap and efficient form ofarch-corrective device of a resilient material which will properlydistribute the weight of the body from the heel to the toes by fittingthe natural contour of the bottom of the' foot.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cushion which will fitand support all the natural arches of the foot and will prevent the footfrom sliding forwarii in the shoe and the consequent jamming of i' thetoes in the end of the shoe.

A still further object of my invention is to provide ay cushion forsupporting they arches which will prevent strangulation of the bloodvessels and arteries of the foot so as to allow free circulation of theblood therein giving the natural warmth to 'the feet. i

My invention consists, generally stated, in the novel arrangement andconstruction as hereinafter more specifically described and set forthand particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

'.lo enable others .skilled in theart to which my invention appertains.to Lmanufacture and use my improvedcomfort cushion, I will describe thesame more fully, referring tothe accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a-top plan view of my improved arch-corrective device.

Fig 2 is a side viev thereof. l

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line III-III ofFig. l.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of afoot showing the manner in which thearch-corrective device supports the transverse and longitudinal arches.j

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line V-V of Fig. 3.

Like symbols of reference herein indicate like .parts in each of thefigures of the drawing.

As illustrated in the drawing my improved arch-corrective device isformed of resilient material such as iiexible rubber and is adapted todistribute the weight of the body by means of its shape and ada tabilityto conform to the natural contour o the bottom of the footi In earlydays when the heel-less sandle was worn, the weight of the body wasevenly distributed from the heel to the toc. In modern times, with theuse of the ornamental heel ywhich elevates the body in the rear, theWeight is thrown to the front lof the foot, thereby straining all thearches. This is particularly true on account of the weakening process oflack of exercise coupled with the hard unyielding material which we nowstand or tread upon, thereby causing the formation of callouses underthe ball of the foot or under longitudinal arches in which place thestrain is the greatest.

My improved arch-corrective device is designed to overcome thesetroubles by providing a means for supporting both the longitudinal andtransverse arches and relieving the metatarsal bones from the entiresupport of the weight of the body.

The device is provided with a countersunk heel seat l to conform to theshape of the heel of the foot, While immediately beyond said seat thedevice rises in the center to form the longitudinal arch support Beyondthe supporting ortion 2 the device gradually tapers in t e front 3 andsides 4 so as to fit immediately Aback of the metatarsal joints 5 andsupport the transverse arch at 6.

The device is gradually sloped as at 7 to conform'to the heights ofvarious shanks. The rounded front of the device prevents the filling upof the space under the blucher,

button or bal seam and this permits the 1st'- and 5th metatarsal jointsto rest on the bottom of the shoe to prevent pressure of the footagainst said blucher, button or bal seams. Y j

The device is slightly concave transversely as shown in Fig. 5 to fitthe natural curves of the foot and is curved on the bottom 8 to fit theinside of the shoe.

This device automatically fits all the arches of the foot, and is selfadjusted when adaptability to conform to thevco'ntour/ ofl of any shoeis unsupported by. thegroundo from a point at the heel to a point at theball of the shoe, and readily gives way under the weight of the body,causing longitudinal arch trouble. By the use of my improved device worninside the shoe, with its countersunk heel-seat and graduated raise ontop of the shank, and under the longitudinal arch, and back of all themetatarsal bones, one has, instead of the Weight being pitched forward aslanting from heel to toe, a more level tread, as in the heel-lesssandle, and a more even dis-.

tributionI of the weight of the body.

My improved device is so designed as to be interchangeable and will liteither the left or right foot so that by 4reason of its the foot and-S110@,1-igia and lea molds will not be necessary.

My improved device may be covered with sheepskin, leather or other softand pliable material, and various modification and changes, Within thescope of the appended claim, may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:i

A removable arch-corrective device'y for foot wear formedl of readilyyieldable and resilient material and composed of a concaved heel seat,in front of said heel seat an elevated portion to be positioned underthe longitudinal arch of the foot and of substantially uniform thicknessfor its full width and length, and in `front of said elevated portion aforwardly and laterally inclined portion arranged to be positioned `justin the, rear of the metatarsal joints of the foot, while said jointsrest on the floor of the shoe.

In witness whereof, I, the said JOSEPH C. FLANAGUAN have hereunto set myhand.

JOSEPHv C. FLANAGAN.

